News

Australian ski resorts suffer warm winter, Europe next

Published

2 years ago

August 29, 2023

As winter in Australia saw grassy slopes instead of snowy mountains, it became evident that climate change is already impacting ski resorts globally.

A study, which models the effects of a warming planet on European ski resorts, provides a stark warning about the consequences of climate change.

Europe boasts about half of the world’s ski resorts, all heavily reliant on consistent and predictable snowfall. Published in the journal Nature Climate Change, the research indicates that 53 percent of European ski resorts face a “very high risk” of insufficient snow supply with less than 2 degrees Celsius of global warming above pre-industrial levels.

This risk jumps to a staggering 98 percent with less than 4 degrees Celsius of warming. Current global temperatures are already at 1.2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.

Very high risk

Dr. Samuel Morin, the lead author from France’s National Centre for Meteorological Research, explained that this “very high risk” assessment is based on the frequency of challenging conditions, such as snow-poor winters, rather than average snow conditions. He likened it to a heatwave, where what matters is the frequency of extreme events.

The decline in snowfall is primarily due to warming temperatures causing precipitation to fall as rain rather than snow. Artificial snowmaking is an option to mitigate this, but it comes at a cost. The study found that artificial snowmaking could reduce the number of resorts at “very high risk” to 27 percent under 2 degrees Celsius of warming and 71 percent under 4 degrees Celsius. However, this approach results in a 20 to 40 percent increase in water demand, which in turn drives up energy consumption and carbon emissions.

The ski industry and governments now face the challenge of adapting to climate change while reducing emissions, as ski tourism contributes to climate change through factors like transportation and housing.

In Australia, the impact of climate change on ski resorts has been evident since the 1950s, leading to a decline in snow depth and duration of the snow season. The number of snowfall days has also decreased, resulting in more unpredictable conditions.

Experts point out that while there will still be good snow days, the changing climate leads to a greater variability between boom years with heavy snowfall and bust years with less snow, making it challenging for ski resorts to predict and manage snow conditions.

News

Coalition cracks deepen as Nationals break ranks over Labor reforms

Nationals senators defy party lines, voting against Labor’s reforms as Coalition faces internal rifts and leadership concerns.

Published

21 hours ago

January 21, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Nationals senators defy party lines, voting against Labor’s reforms as Coalition faces internal rifts and leadership concerns.

A rift has emerged in the Coalition after three Nationals senators crossed the floor to vote against Labor’s post-Bondi hate group reforms, defying party lines and raising questions about their future in the shadow cabinet.

Their proposed amendment calling for greater scrutiny was rejected, and Labor’s legislation passed the Senate 38 votes to 22, cementing the reforms into law despite opposition pushback.

Coalition leadership will meet Wednesday to assess the political fallout, though some MPs consider the issue minor in terms of potential resignations. The incident highlights growing tensions within the party as internal discipline comes under pressure.

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News

Trump escalates Greenland rhetoric as Davos leaders push back on sovereignty

Trump claims U.S. alone can ensure Arctic peace, sparking backlash as Greenland’s sovereignty faces geopolitical tensions at Davos.

Published

21 hours ago

January 21, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Trump claims U.S. alone can ensure Arctic peace, sparking backlash as Greenland’s sovereignty faces geopolitical tensions at Davos.

President Trump has intensified his remarks over Greenland, claiming the U.S. is the only nation capable of ensuring peace in the Arctic, sparking sharp pushback from European leaders. His rhetoric, including hints at potential tariffs, comes as international attention turns to the strategic territory.

The debate has dominated discussions at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, where Trump confirmed plans to meet regarding Greenland following a positive conversation with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. Meanwhile, Greenland’s leadership has warned that the territory must be ready for potential military scenarios.

Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney also weighed in from Davos, drawing a firm line on sovereignty, declaring Greenland’s independence non-negotiable. The unfolding standoff highlights rising geopolitical tensions in the Arctic, with global powers increasingly staking their claims.

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News

OpenAI prepares first consumer device amid revenue boom

OpenAI plans to launch a screenless smart speaker by late 2026, shifting focus to hardware amid significant revenue growth.

Published

2 days ago

January 20, 2026

Harvey Vargas

OpenAI plans to launch a screenless smart speaker by late 2026, shifting focus to hardware amid significant revenue growth.

OpenAI is gearing up to launch its first-ever consumer hardware device in late 2026. The product is expected to be a screenless smart speaker, signalling the tech giant’s move beyond software and into the world of physical devices.

The device comes after OpenAI acquired a promising hardware startup to accelerate development.

The company is also pushing a strategy to strengthen domestic manufacturing, working closely with U.S. manufacturers to secure efficient production of essential components.

Despite the progress, technical hurdles remain, especially around the device’s listening capabilities, which could delay the rollout.

This development comes on the heels of OpenAI reporting an annualised revenue of over $20 billion in 2025, representing a staggering 233% increase from the previous year. The combination of massive revenue growth and expansion into hardware marks a new era for the AI pioneer.

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